The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-22
RICH MEN OF JANIroRs' TOWN.
A Glass of Men Who Have Managed to
Accumulate Wealth in a Quiet Way

A Glass of Men Who Have Managed to
Accumulate Wealth in a Quiet Way.
New YORK, Aug. 20.-Janitors Town is
that portion of Ne.S York which extends
from Beekman street to Beaver and from
Broadway to Pearl street. There is not a
single dwelling house TO be found within its
boundaries. The inhabitants for the most
part live on the top floors of large business
buildings, and consist of janitors and their
families. During the day when the streets
are thronged with people hurrying to and
fro ir pursuit of their various vocations the
peculiar features which characterize the life
OF Janitors' Town are hidden from view;
bnt when night approaches everything
Is changed. Wall street, that but
few hours before was busy with
bankers, brokers, clerks and messenger
boys, jostling each other unfortunately,
and Broadway, that resounded with
the hum Of trade, ore now the quiet stroll
ing places for young men and women. They
may be seen walking slowly in pairs past
Trinity church or down Wall street toward
the ferry. Groups gather in the doorways
chatting and laughing, or listening to one
of their number sing favorite song TO the
accompaniment of an accordion or banjo.
In fact, Janitors' Town in the evening is
the most musical district In the city. A
large proportion of the inhabitants consist
of the better class OF colored people, and
the strunIming OF guitars and the picking
of banjoes may be heard on every block.
There Is a social element in Janitors' Town
also which models itself after Murray
Hill. There are cliques and jealousies
there which rival those of the ''uppex
ten" Many Of the janitors are moderately
well off. Some are wealthy, and these
very naturally consider themselves better
than their neighbors, so that there are
.t.I
lines as well defined as those which separate
the upper classes. Among the wealthiest
janitors in the city may be mentioned
Thomas Cleary of the Equitable building.
His yearly income from perquisites alone
amounts to thousands Of dollars. He owns
considerable property and lives in first-class
style. William Evans. janitor of the build
ing owned by Brown Brothers & Co., is re-
puted to be worth considerable money.
During the summer months he goes
out Of town to recuperate his
health, occupying a comfortable cottage
on Staten Island. Henry Schneider, of the
New York Clearing House, owns several
tenement houses and considerable real
estate in different parts Of the city. He ia
an intelligent German, frugal in his habits
and honest as the day. He drives hand
some turnout, in which he takes his friends
10 Coney Island or some other resort in the
vicinity of New York, after his days work
is over. Mr.. Smith, janitor of the Bank of
New York, colored man, is also the pos
SCISSOR OF fino turnout His wealth
amounts to between $3.50, 900 and $500, 600
Mr.. Matthews, of the Continental Bank
Building, Is probably tho richest janitor in
the city. He, also, Is colored gentleman.
He owns piece OF unimproyed real estate
uptown for which he refused an Of
fer OF 100000 some years ago. He
owns large number OF houses besides, and
IL would be difficult 10 place an exact esti-
mate upon his wealth. just how these men
are enabled 10 accumulate money 50 rapidly
Is easy TO determine In the first place, it
costs them nothing for rent. Apartments
are set apart for their use. Thoy receive
moderately large salaries, in many instances
have the privilege Of supplying midday
meals 70 several lsarge Offices and in all in
stances receive perqusites from the differ
ent offices in the buildings they look after.
A few years OF economy, with judicious in
yestments of the money saved. and they are
independent.
j. T. RITTER In